The past 28 weeks of my life

28 weeks sounds like such a short time. But in fact it has been 7 full months! 7 months of a beautiful pregnancy! Yes, it’s had it’s ups and downs. Crazy emotions and joys. But it has been a journey that I have been looking forward to for as long as I can remember.

Here are some “pregnancy symptoms” I have experienced…

Fatigue. I’m not just talking I need a nap. I’m talking, I need to sleep ALL DAY! Body is achy. Muscle’s don’t want to move. TIRED like I have never experienced.

Emotions. Lots of them. Take an emotional woman’s “time of the month” times 10! My poor husband had to sit through it all. Fortunately, it’s not hardly as bad any more.

And lets talk about crying at any given moment! Commercials. TV shows. Something someone says. Good or bad. I’m tearing up. But nothing you can’t laugh about later.

Gagging! HOLY COW! I am not and have never been a gagger! I could have stuck my finger down my throat and nothing would happen. Get pregnant, and I’m an instant gagger! Spit made me gag. Cooking made me gag. Smells made me gag. You name it, it was gaggin’! (thank goodness that goes away!)

Weight gain. Although I have been lucky thus far and have only gained 12 pounds. It’s still something you worry about as a woman. You want to bounce right back after the baby is born. You want to be one of the lucky ones that looks like she never had a baby when you walk out of the hospital! Although, I am realistic and I know that probably won’t be true in my case. I am still overly conscience about the weight I put on.

Speaking of weight… Food cravings!!! I have not had any weird food cravings. BUT if you talk about Pizza I am ALL OVER IT!!!! Pizza is something that I can eat a lot of right now. I always want it. And it almost always sounds good! And doughnuts!!! I love me some store bought doughnuts!!! Good thing they are high in calories because it has kept me from eating a lot of them.

Water! I drink more water then someone running a marathon!!! It’s almost like a life line. I crave it and wake up in the middle of the night needing it!! But that is something I am not ashamed of.

My Bladder! It’s no silly coincidence that pregnant woman have to pee on a regular basis. Fortunately for me it’s has just recently REALLY kicked in. And I just laugh. It’s something you can’t avoid and I would rather have a healthy bladder then an unhealthy one.

Pale skin. This baby has literally SUCKED the pigment out of my skin!!! I use to just DREAD being too pale. And I would RUN to the tanning bed. But I’m actually starting to like it. With the right make up, it could work

Dr. Appointments. I have to say, my favorite thing is when she starts looking for the heart beat. The first time I cried. It’s amazing to just sit there and hear a little heart beat in your belly and know that it’s YOUR BABY that you and your husband created. You start thinking about what she’ll look like. Who will she most act like. And that heart beat is just a reassurance that she is still there and everything is still ok…

Movement. I first felt my flutters around 17 weeks. They were really weak flutters but I knew it wasn’t my organs moving around because it almost felt like a tickle. NOW 10 weeks later she is much stronger and to the point were she moves enough to move my whole body. And having BJ wait to feel her is even more exciting!! I love remembering the look on his face when he first felt her move! What an experience to have.

Before I ever got pregnant I was determined to enjoy my pregnancy NO MATTER HOW I FELT!! Because it’s life. God is trusting me with this little life. To carry her in my womb and into the world. To raise her up with the best of my abilities. Every child is a gift. No matter the circumstances. I look at my 2 year old niece and think about how fast she has grown and the things she has learned. And now I get the chance to raise my own little bean and teach her things. I just PRAY that it will be pleasing to the Lord. That some how, I’ll do it right.

My goals for the rest of this pregnancy is to continue to educate myself. Being a stay at home mom seems to be a shock to people any more. It’s not really heard of. I am blessed with a husband who stands by my wants to be a stay-at-home-mom. I know God will bless this home because we are listening to what we feel is right for this family.

AND… people think I am crazy for wanting to go all natural with this pregnancy and labor. I feel that for me, I am meant to have this baby as natural as possible. For me! Not for anyone else. If you had medication, I am not going to bet you down and shake my finger at you. Everyone is different. God is in everything. Meds or not. I just feel for me and this family, I don’t want medication. (unless I absolutely have too!) Besides… I hate needless and the thought of not having any control. And thats the selfish and stubborn side of me.

So… I have 12 weeks left! Thats it… 12 weeks and our little Sage Madison will come into this world thinking “WHAT THE HECK! PUT ME BACK!”… And then eventually she will thank me when she is 30 or so for bringing her into this world and teaching her about life, and Jesus, and everything else in between.

Sage Madison Carpenter…. I love you already! I love feeling you move inside of me and reminding me that you are going to be a strong woman! And this is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life!

 

My life in Ruins…

Tonight I sit in my living room an emotional WRECK!!! Not that being pregnant is helping that fact… But when the world hits.. it hits HARD!!

To know that God is in control is an under statement. Because that is evident. There is just this side of me that wants to TAKE the control. Not because I feel like I can do it better. But because I want it NOW. Like the little selfish rich girl in Willy Wonka and her famous song about wanting the Goose that lays the golden Eggs “… I want today… I want tomorrow..”

I want answers. I want fixes.

But I NEED Jesus.

I NEED his guidance.

Although I feel like everything is crumbling underneath me at this very moment, I know God has control regardless.

I have no idea where this quote came from but it is what I am sticking to for quite awhile.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I can not change,  courage to change the things I can, and WISDOM to know the difference.”

AMEN

My Future

Knowing that we are going to have a girl is such a big deal because there are SO MANY THINGS that come with having a girl. Pretty Dresses. Dancing. Singing. Cheerleading. Boys. And lots and lots of emotions!!! I don’t consider myself an over emotional girl. I think I have balance. Although, yes, when I was a teen I would cry if I was hurt. But at least I wasn’t screaming! lol.

Also with having a girl there is the known fact that they do things a little sooner then most boys. Like talking. My niece Lucy is just barely over the age of two and she is talking in full sentences, giving dirty looks, and rolling her eyes. Like she 18 already!! It’s amazing to me how fast she has grown and the things she is catching up on. Seeing her makes me very aware of what I’m about to get myself into. And this great video, that is all over facebook, is a great look into my future of having a girl.

Please enjoy a good laugh

19 weeks and counting

I can’t believe it. I’m one week away from being 5 months into my pregnancy.

So many things have changed and happened. First the obvious. My belly! It’s officially poked out. A little more then a poke. Sometime I wonder if I’m suppose to be this big. BUT I’ve only gained 3 pounds!!! Yes, thats right. I haven’t subtracted any numbers to make this post look pretty, it’s the truth. I’m thinking my physical body has lost weight and my baby is making up for it. Which I’m ok with that. Hopefully after she is born I won’t have to work out over time to loose a ton of weight. But I won’t speak to soon Who knows what will happen in the next 4 months.

Another great thing is that I have officially jumped into the “break” stage of the second trimester. I’m not gagging at everything. Smells are still strong but I can get over the nasty smelling ones. I never was nauseous. Never really had morning sickness. So thats nothing to worry about. I’m still tired. But I can make it through a whole day without a nap! LOL that was something that worried me. Never thought someone could be SO TIRED!! And I’m not having to eat every 2 hours any more!! lol. My appetite is finally getting back to “some what” of what it was. Still a little picky, but nothing I can’t deal with.

And now for the fun part!! MOVEMENT! What an amazing feeling!! I love noticing it. I love feeling it and everywhere she goes. Sometimes I can move and she’ll go all to one side and I just feel a huge lump in my stomach. And then it’s gone. But my favorite thing is BJ questioning it if it “really is her or just gas”.. or my muscles moving, or organs moving. LOL.. I was told that he would question it, but didn’t think it would be this much. Oh well, it’s cute. It’s all because he can’t feel anything yet. He tries to be patient and keep his hand on my belly, but that last all but 30 seconds because she’ll stop. Typical right?!

I love being pregnant!!! I love that all my close friends are pregnant or have little ones already. And funny enough, they all have girls!! So I’m already thinking about mommy days. Play dates. Tea parties. Dress ups. The park. Everything. I’m very ready for it all!! I never thought I would be this ready to be a mommy, but it’s funny how it works out this way. even though we got pregnant sooner then we expected too, I’m ready for it!!

While I’m thinking about it…

Got any tips for these last few months of Pregnancy? I know walking is a huge deal, but what else. Tell me something only Girlfriends told you. or something you figured out on your own… I need to know, so please share!!!!

Children make you worry

No matter how old they are. Either in the womb, age five or 16… they can really keep you on your toes.

Today, I had my first experience of that. I ended up bleeding today and that set off huge red flags for us. After talking to my doctor we figured out that I had a blood clot that decided to leave my body. What a scary thing to go through. Even though I am “out of the risky zone” it’s still scary. My mom said it perfectly today saying “you didn’t know you could start loving something so soon without even seeing it”. And thats so true. I love this baby so much already, and to lose it this far along would be devastating.

Thank you Jesus thats NOT what happened.

Baby is fine. Completely fine actually. I knew this baby was a mover but the baby proved that in the Ultrasound!! Never once did our little bean stop moving and waving and sucking on fingers. I was just in AWE of this little person. I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe this baby is sitting inside of me, growing and living! WOW… such a blessing and a privilege to experience.

With the Ultra sound also came the great announcement of the sex of our baby and drum roll please….

IT’S A GIRL!!!!

We are so excited. I have had nothing but girl dreams for the past few years, so this is all starting to ring out to everything I had hoped it to be.

And her name will be Sage Madison. It has been since the dreaming began so it is only fitting that I keep it

More updates will come like our trip to Ireland and London. Thats just more time…. some other time that is

Good night world, and soon we will be saying hello to our little girl!

Second Trimester here I come!

Well me and Baby Bean are officially 12 weeks along and I can’t believe I’m in my second trimester ALREADY! It seems like I just told everyone and everyone is catching on to the fact that I’m going to be a mommy.

So lets see.. What have I gone through….

I’m still hungry ALL the time. It never seems to go away. And whats even worse is if I wait to long to eat I won’t be able to actually eat much when I do sit down to eat. THAT is more frustrating then anything. I’m on a 2 hour roll it seems. On the money, every 2 hours, I’m hungry.

I was told that I wouldn’t be as tired and that I would get a break during my second trimester… I’m still waiting for that. I’m very tired and still feel moody and Blah really.

Lets see, what else. I’m starting to show!!! Haha, I was going to post a picture up, but can’t seem to find my cord to put pictures on my computer, so you’ll have to wait for that. But no worries, its just the “chubby” stuff, nothing super solid. lol

We get to find out what we are having in about a month and a half! Can you believe it!! Time flies with this baby. But we’re ready. We want to be as prepared as possible. Cause right now it is so hard to plan really anything at all. Not knowing and what not. I don’t know how people do it that wait for the SURPRISE! lol.. not me. I need to plan.

I’m finally starting to feel like I want to cook again. Before I couldn’t wait for all the prep time and cooking time. I just wanted something there and fast. I’m sure BJ is ready for me to start cooking again. Maybe this time off made him miss it?!?!… lol

In just a few short weeks we are planning to go on another Big trip to Ireland. We are so excited but I’m just hoping I come around so I can truly enjoy our time. A weekend or so ago I went to a concert in Ohio for my Dad’s birthday and felt like SUCH a party pooper! Everyone was worried about me being hungry and I couldn’t stand for very long during the concert either. Pray, pray, pray, that some of this fades away at least just for a moment while I’m in Europe.

I was hoping this summer would slow down but really it has just gotten more hectic. I’m learning to adjust and juggling everything. Hopefully I can really get some major things accomplished before the Baby comes. (like clean!)

Well, I’m off to venture another week. In a week and a half I have the fun dr’s appointment with all the blood work and test and stuff I’m not a huge fan of. But it’s all worth it.

Right?!

It’s the start of a new life

After hearing the babies heart beat I am officially going to start to Blog about my mommy venture’s….

It’s been 5 weeks since I found out I was pregnant, and what a LONG 5 weeks it has been!!  I can feel the changes that my body has gone through. I could have sworn I gained 10 pounds over the last 5 weeks, but actually lost 1 pound.

I’ve been told that I’m lucky for not feeling over board sick and not really having to meet with the toliet on a regular basis. I’m pretty sure I had the flu for a few days because I had a fever and achey body, and couldn’t keep a thing down. Then after a few days, I was back to my normal self, eating every two hours and sleeping inbetween!!!

I have to admit, we were not planning this baby. Well, not yet anyways.  We are going on another big trip in August and we were determined to wait because I did not want to have to “hold back” so to speak, on this trip.

BUT, God had different plans. I don’t doubt this baby and God’s plan. I think the timing is more perfect then we could have expected. I’m ready to be a mom. And BJ, well, He’s more ready to be a dad that he might admit. (and he’ll be a great one at that!)

I love the typical questions that everyone wants to know about.

How are you feeling?

What do you want? A boy or a girl?

Was this planned?

How many kids do you want?

Are you going to let people rub your belly?

You have a glow already! And I can see that your showing already!! (are you sure I’m showing or am I just bloated?)

I love the questions. I guess because it’s my first every step is new and exciting. But to answer these quickly and officiantly, I have my answers down to a science.

I’m feeling great, just ALWAYS hungry (and thats frustrating).  I don’t care what we have as long as it gets here healthy and in my arms. No, this was not planned! not yet anyways. I want lots of kids. It’s always been that way. But my husband, well I will get lucky if I can get to 3! And do I really have a say in people rubbing my belly?? Haha. I’m am expecting everyone around me to rub my belly and I don’t care. Just wait till I’m showing and I don’t feel fat! And thank you for saying I’m glowing. Atleast your not telling me I look deathly pale and could really use some sun. Are you sure your feeling ok?? And no, I am not showing. So my Dr. tells me. I can’t suck in. My belly sticks out, and therefore I am bloated. 24/7… and I’m ok with that.

SO, there’s my last 5 weeks. I am going to blog so much more because of this baby and keeping as many people updated as possible.

Love, The Carpenters and Baby Bean…

Here I am Lord… Send Me

Today I had the greatest pleasure to be at church and learn, once again, why I am truly here on this earth.

To go and preach the good word to My Neighbor. My City. My Country. My World.

And now I have a new theme song, thanks to Aaron Jackson and our worship band. Words to live by. Stand by. And to be proud that we serve an amazing Jesus!

God of Justice, Saviour to all
Came to rescue the weak and the poor
Chose to serve and not be served

Jesus, You have called us
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go
Stepping forward keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go

To act justly everyday
Loving mercy in everyway
Walking humbly before You God

You have shown us, what You require
Freely we’ve received
Now freely we will give

Fill us up and send us out
Fill us up and send us out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6k-knvCWUA

HALLELUJAH… I am DEBT FREE!!!

I can’t believe it!!! After a few years of silly credit card debt IT’S ALL GONE!!!!! I felt like that picture for so long. Although I went to a credit counsling program and they helped A LOT, I still feel like it was a tough fight. After all this time I completely forgot what I bought with all the credit cards. I probably don’t even have half of it. I know some of the things that I used my credit card for was needed like groceries, my car, things like that, but STILL!!!

Thousands of dollars for what????

What good did it do for me, besides the fact that I had close to NO MONEY for over 2 years!!!

Thankfully, I married a man who has NO “bad” debt and is a strong advocate of not having any unnesseccary debt.

For a few months I am going to enjoy having some money. Save some of my money. And then…. ::drum roll please:: I get a new one of these….

 

 

 

Or something close to it!!!

I know you’re all thinking “BUT CHERITH, That’s just MORE DEBT!!”. Your right. I could save a few thousand dollars and go buy a used car that is semi close to what I want. BUT have you meet my husband??? haha.. he never goes into buying something with out a plan. He has a plan. And a really good one in fact. I have no worries that I will be able to get and afford this car when the time comes. And did you know that I’ve had the SAME CAR since I was 16!!!!! I think it’s about time I get something I haven’t had, which is a brand new car!!!

 

YAY FOR ME!!!! I’m out of debt and it feels weird!!!

Can’t sleep

you know when there is SO MUCH running through your head that sleeping isn’t even an option?? Well I decided to do something about it and thats watch my favorite YouTube Video called “David after Dentist”. I have to tell you the first time I saw this I was CRYING cause i was laughing so hard!!! This is a must watch. Please enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txqiwrbYGrs

You can not tell me that you didn’t laugh so hard you about pee’d… I mean really “Is this real life??” AH HAHAHAHA…. (can you believe you can actually buy T-shirts cause of this clip??)